9 Step-by-Step Instructions For Changing the Law Where You Live Number 1

This article if from the magazine Guide to Backyard Chickens.

1. FIND OTHERS TO HELP - Use the Internet to find like-minded people and form a group. We used the forum on BackyardChickens.com. Your title should say something like "Help me change the law in Salem, OR," so people in your town click to read more. From a group, give yourselves a name and a logo, start a website/ blog/ Yahoo group, ect.

2. UNDERSTAND CURRENT LAWS - The first step to changing your city's code is to understand the current legal status. You have to know if chickens are allowed under specific conditions that need to be amended, or if you will need to draft a new ordinance. Don't go by what you've heard; it's best to get it straight from the horse's mouth, as well as in writing.
             Most city ordinances are online. Start with the city's official website, look under Code Enforcement or Zoning. After you find the city's codes, search for key words like "livestock," "poultry," "fowl" and "chickens." You may have to search under different sections, like Animals or Sanitation. Be creative, think of every possible way it might be listed.
                Be sure to search under your city's definition section. In Salem, for example the definition of livestock includes chickens, and, in another section, it states that livestock is not allowed in the city. However, in the Land Use section, there is a list of approved "special uses" including the keeping of a potbelly pig. This provided good leverage for our fight. (Think about it - you can have a 100 - pound pig in the city but not a 3 - pound bird that gives you eggs!) Look for things that to help your case. Then, we strongly urge you to contact your local code compliance officer to verify your interpretation of the code.

Six Keys to Selecting a Chicken Breed...Number 5

This is a article from the magazine Backyard Poultry By: Brandon Mitchell from Tennessee.

                                5  FEATHER COLOR
Aside from its ability to reflect or absorb heat, feather color is not very important, so why is it part of my criteria? Partly because there are so many chickens, it helps to break down the breeds even more, and partly just because I like some colors more than other. Some producers even like to color coordinate with their other livestock breeds, black hogs, black cows, black chickens and so forth.
         There is one other practical reason to be concerned about feather color. If you tie lures for fishing, or can sell to someone who does, feather color is very important. Fly tying is all about matching the hatch (insect hatch, that is), so flies are tied to match the color of the insect as best as possible.

Six Keys to Selecting a Chicken Breed... Number 4

This is a article from the magazine Backyard Poultry By: Brandon Mitchell from Tennessee.

                          4 TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE
Unless you're in the far north or south, you probably don't think about heat or cold tolerance when picking chicken breeds. I rarely do, but you should consider a few things. Black feathered chickens get hotter than light red, yellow, and especially white. Birds with single combs and light feather colors do better in hotter climates, but single-combed birds often suffer frostbite. Pea and rose combs are better choices for those cold nights. Feathers around feet can keep a dry chicken warmer at night, but if those feathers get wet, which is often the case in winter, it can lead to more problems than hens without feathers on their feet. Crested chickens have many of the same advantage and disadvantage as feather-footed breeds, although a crest is only a problem with rain, whereas a muddy pen affects feather-footed chickens whether rain caused the mud or not.

Six Keys to Selecting Chicken Breed.... Number 3

This is a article from the magazine Backyard Poultry By: Brandon Mitchell from Tennessee.

                                                 3  DISPOSITION
Considering the space you may have your birds in, disposition is key to keeping birds healthy. Birds that are loose, flighty or even aggressive survive longer than more docile chickens like Buff Orpingtons.But trying to catch Orpingtons is a much easier task than Brown Leghorns.
            When you crowd birds, like is the case in a small coop or moveable pen, aggressive tendencies result in more injuries, infections, broken eggs, and even dead chickens, so consider this before you put aggressive breeds in with overly docile ones. If you particularly like your docile chickens, it may be best to keep them separated. At the very least, leave out all but one rooster to eliminate fighting.

Six Keys to Select a Chicken Breed... Number 2

This is a article from the magazine Backyard Poultry By: Brandon Mitchell from Tennessee.

                                        2  SIZE MATTERS
Size is another factor, and probably the most important one to consider if your birds will be confined to a small area. Chickens range from the tiny 20 ounce Dutch bantam to the monstrous 13 pound Black Jersey Giant and everywhere in between. (Both the Dutch bantam and the Jersey Giant breeds were feathered in the December 2011 / January 2012 issue of Backyard Poultry. - Ed.) 
                         Most catalogs break down chicken breeds into bantams and standard chickens, but you should consider their individual breed weight when filling a coop. The Dutch, Sebright, and Old English Game bantam are the smallest at 18-24 ounces. Bantam Ameraucanas, Wyandottes, Cochins, and Polish are a little larger (26-32 ounces), and Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, and Rhode Island Reds are the largest ranging from 34-40 ounces. That's a big size difference when you consider a Dutch bantam chick is only about half the size of a bantam Barred Rock chick. The smallest standard chickens (at about four or five pounds) are the Leghorns, Hamburgs, Ameraucanas, Polish and Anconas. Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire, Black Australorps, Wyandottes, Naked Necks, Delawares, Sex-Links, and Andalusians range from 5.5 - 6.5 ponds. The Plymouth Rocks, Orpingtons, Sussex, Cochins, and Minorcas range from 7 -9 pounds, and Brahmas and Giant are jumbos, tipping the scales at more than nine pounds from hens. One Brahama weight about as much as six Sebrights, four bantam Wyandottes, or two Hamburgs. In a limited space, smaller is better, but on the open range, larger chickens are somewhat less susceptible to predation , although you'll still lose some.

Six Keys to Selecting a Chicken Breed.... Number 1

This is a article from the magazine Backyard Poultry By: Brandon Mitchell from Tennessee.

Chickens have the unique ability to adapt to a wide range of conditions, more than most species of livestock. Even with their adaptability, each breed is best suited for one type of environment more than another. But with so many breeds, how do you choose? I start with a systematic approach to find the best birds for my backyard based on: egg color and laying ability, size, disposition, heat and cold tolerance, feather color, and carcass quality and other uses.


                     1  EGG COLOR and LAYING ABILITY
First I decide what egg color I want. If I'm selling roadside stand eggs, I prefer brown eggs. At least in my area, there is a misconception that brown eggs are farm eggs and taste better than white-shelled eggs. Truth be told they taste the same (if raised the same), but who am I to argue? Another misconception is that blue eggs are cholesterol-free. They actually have cholesterol levels similar to white and brown eggs (and they taste the same too). There is some novelty interest in them, but some people are just plain weirded out by them and even prefer white eggs over their blue-shelled counterparts. If my main concern is home use, I like variety.
               Whatever egg color you choose, some breeds lay those eggs better than others. Most white- eggs layers lay the most eggs, although Rhode Island Reds (brown shell), Black Australorps (brown shell), and Ameraucanas (blue/green shell) are excellent layers as well. Usually breeds that don't lay as many eggs do have some unique reasons to keep them. Many are heavy bodied, which means they are good winter layers (many small bodied birds cease egg production in the cold months), and they have a good meaty carcass when their laying days are over. Others are old-style farm birds that are disease hardy, and are designed to lay a good number of eggs on little more than rocks and dirt.

Cute!!!!

Jokes!!

Jokes!!!!

Jokes!!!!!

Jokes!!!

Famous Chickens!

Jokes!

Just For Fun!

This Monday (Tomorrow) we are going to have a week of just fun stuff. Like.... Jokes, Cute pics, ect.! Then we will continue with some more chicken facts!

Aseel

The Aseel ( all so spelled Asil ) is an ancient breed from India, originally kept for cockfighting but today kept for ornamental purpose. Despite their history, Asils are said to be friendly when kept apart from other cocks. They're also said to be very smart. Strongly muscled, they contributed to the modern cornish " broiler " breed. Combs and wattles are very small. Aseel hero are broody but only lay a few eggs per year. Feathering is olose sleek and hard.

(Origins/ History)
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl
Size: Small (4-5lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Ornamental
Recognized Varieties: Black Breasted Red, Dark, Spangled, White, Wheaten

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Bears Well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/ Broody: Yes
Personality: Docile & intelligent. Cocks should be kept separate from other cocks

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Pea Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Poor (1/wk)
Egg Color: Cream or Tented
Egg Size: Medium



http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breedDetails.aspx?chickenID=19&

Healthy adult chickens should look like this:

         This article is from the book Raising Chickens For Dummies.
         
                    Healthy adult chickens should look like this:

• They have bright, clear eyes.                   
• They have clean nostrils, with no discharge. 
• They breathe with their beaks shut, unless they have just been chased to be caught or it's very hot. 
• The comb and wattles are plump and glossy. In roosters, large blackened areas of the comb indicates frostbite, which may cause temporary infertility. 
• They don't have any swellings or lumps on the body. Don't mistake a full crop on the neck for a lump. 
• Their legs are smooth, with shiny skin. They have four or five toes, depending on the breed. They don't have any swellings or lumps on the bottom of the feet.
• The feathers look smooth, and there are no large patches of bare skin. Look carefully through the feathers for lice.
• They are alert and active.          

Araucanas

Araucanas are exceptionally rare and have their origins in South America, although they were developed here in the US. Araucanas that meet the breed standard are rumpless and tufted, however they are exceptionally difficult to breed because the tufted gene can cause a high percentage of the chicks to die in their shells. In addition, the tufts often aren't symmetrical, even in purebred Araucanas. For these reasons, Araucanas are only available through breeders at this time, and not hatcheries. This breed is most famous for laying blue-shelled eggs. They should not be confused with Easter Eggers, which can lay blue and green eggs, and do not conform to any breed standard. However, many hatcheries continue to call their Easter Eggers "Araucanas" (or various other misspellings). If you are interested in showing your birds, make sure that you have true Ameraucana or Araucana. 


(Origins/History) 
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam 
Size: Small (4-5lbs)
Rarity: Rare 
Purpose: Dual 
Recognized Varieties: Black, Black Red, Golden Duckwing, White 


(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: Yes 
Bears Confinement: Tolerates it 
Especially Docile: No 
Setter/ Broody: Yes
Personality: Unknown 


(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Pea Comb 
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4


(Egg Facts) 
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: Blue 
Egg Size: Medium 




http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Araucana-B13.aspx

My pretty pink chicken coop tractor!!!!!!!!

I designed the coop and my daddy and I built it!!!! It was fun but a lot of work!! I want to get some Silkie Bantams for this coop!!!!!! No roosters allowed! This is my 2nd coop!

??????

Hello will you please tell me if my most resent post "My First Chicken Coop Tour!" works for you or not. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

My First Coop Tour!

Fun!

O NO ITS A MONDAY!!!!!!!!

Appenzeller Spritzhauben

The Appenzeller Spithauben in the national breed of Switzerland, noted for its very unusual forward-pointing crest and V-shaped comb. These birds are well adapted to life in the mountains, are excellent climbers and love to roost in trees. They really don't do well in confinemen, so don't keep them unless they can be allowed to roam freely throughout the day.

(Origins/ History)
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl
Size: Small (4-5lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Egg-laying
Recognized Varieties: Barthunner, Black Spangled, Blue Spangled, Gold, Gold Spangled, Silver Spanged

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Intolerant
Especially Docile: No
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Active, alert, like to roost in trees, good foragers

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: V-Shaped Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Medium



http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Appenzeller-Spitzhauben-B11.aspx

Andalusian

Developed in the Andalucia, Spain, Andalusians are closely feathered, active and good layers of large white eggs. Blues (laced) is the only variety accepted by the ADA, but when two blues are crossed, 25% with by black and 25% will be white. (Incidentally, Mendle used these birds in his genetic experiments, thanks to whichwe know things like two brown eyed people can have blue eyed children, but two blue eyed people cannot have brown eyed children!) This breed is exceedingly rare!

(Origins/History)
Class: Mediterranean
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Egg-laying
Recognized Varieties: Blue

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: No
Bears Confinement: Tolerates Confinement
Especially Docile: No
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: small & Active

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Single Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Large



http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Andalusian-B15.aspx

Ameraucana

The Ameraucana breed was derived from Blue egg laying chickens, but they do not have the breeding problems inherent to Araucanas. In addition, rather than ear tufts they have muffs and a beard, and are very hardy and sweet. They lay eggs in shades of blue, and even have blue ( or "Slate" ) legs. Less rare than Araucanas, they are still quite rare and only available through breeders at this time. They should not be confused with Easter Eggers, which can lay blue and green eggs, and do not conform to any breed standard. However, many hatcheries continue to call their Easter Eggers "Americanas" (and other various misspellings). If you are interested in showing your birds, make sure that you have true Ameraucana or Araucana.

(Origins/History)
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Egg Laying
Recognized Varieties: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Bears Well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Fun

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Pea Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: Blue
Egg Size: Medium



http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Ameraucana-B5.aspx

Ancona

The Ancona has a "mottled" color pattern of black with white spots, and both Single Comb & Rose Comb varieties are accepted by the American Poultry Association.Like other Mediterranean breeds, Anconas are closely feathered, active, good foragers and good layers. The Ancona is also extremely hardy in cold weather.

(Origins/History)
Class: Mediterranean
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Egg-laying
Recognized Varieties: Single Comb, Rose Comb

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Tolerates
Especially Docile: No
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Active & avoiding of human contact

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Single Comb & Rose Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Excellent (5/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Large



http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Ancona-B9.aspx

The have to haves inside the coop

When you go shopping for a coop for your flock you have to remember your coop guide lines. Such as how big your birds are and your flock. Do you want a small or large coop? Will it hold my flock if it is small? There are some things you will need in your coop. You will need a waterier and if you so desire a feeder. It will be good to have a feeder if they are not free range chickens. You will need nesting boxed if you have hens. You will need roosting bars as well. In the wild chickens try to roost in tree branches so they wont get eaten by predators. Its hard for Chickens to see at night. So once they know their coop is safe they will go in it every night and roost.

Diagram Of A Chicken

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-diagram-and-anatomy-of-a-chicken-pictures-and-labels




http://ask.metafilter.com/120058/Why-are-chicken-wings-so-differently-sized

Leghorn

Remember Foghorn Leghorn the cartoon? Yep, this bird one and the same. (Seasoned pros know that Leghorn is pronounced "Leggern".) The white is separate from the rest because they lay large, white eggs practically every day! Other varieties aren't nearly so prolific. Whites are said to be nervous, but ours have been the sweetest, must tame of all our chickens! So give one a try and find out for yourself. ( In winter, use petroleum jelly on the comb to prevent frostbite.)

(Origins/History)
Class: Mediterranean
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Egg-laying
Recognized Varieties: White, Pearl-White

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Bears Well
Especially Docile: No
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Active and intelligent

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Single Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes:4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Very Good (4/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: X-Large

  

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Leghorn-White-B65.aspx

chicken jokes

Q. Why did the chicken cross the road halfway?

A. She wanted to lay it on the line.
_________________________________________________

Q. Why did the turkey cross the road?

A. To prove it wasn't a chicken.
_________________________________________________

Q. Why did the chicken cross the road, roll in the mud, and crossed the road again?

A. Because he was a dirty double-crosser.
_____________________________________________________

Spanish

We really wish we had a photo of the White Faced Black Spanish to share with you because they're so kooky looking! Their faces are completely white. This peculiar trait was developed by selecting for ever larger and larger white earlobes until they managed to take over the whole face. They are also known as " clows- faced chicken." The white face will take some time to fully develop in young birds. Like all Mediterranean breeds, they lay large white eggs.

(Origins/History)
Class: Mediterranean
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Egg-Laying
Recognized Varieties: White- Faced Black

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: No
Bears Confinement: Tolerates Confinement
Especially Docile: No
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Wild and active

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Single Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: Large




http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/White-Faced-Black-Spanish-B101.aspx

Chicken Combs

http://tbnranch.com/2012/01/15/the-distictive-types-of-chicken-combs/



http://chickens.wikia.com/wiki/Comb


Another place with good info!
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/all-about-chicken-combs-single-pea-rose-v-shaped-etc

??????

Do you like the new look?

Voting

Ok well thank you for voting guys!!!!!!!  I love the feed back!!! I will leave the results up for awhile. Well until I can think of a new poll! :) Thank you!! you can always leave comments!

Minorca

Minorcas are also called the "Red Faced Black Chicken" annd to look at it it's no wonder why. They have red faces, huge red wattle are large combs. Their earlobes are also large, but white. Minorcas are the heaviest of the Mediterranean chicken breeds and while they were originally bred to produce large white eggs, breeders today don't always select for those traits. Therefore some of today's Minorcas won't lay as well as the originals.

(Origins/History)
Class: Mediterranean
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Egg-laying
Recognized Verities: Single comb Black, Rose Comb Black,
Single Comb White, Rose Comb White, Single Comb Buff

(Suitability to Backyard Life)
Hardy In Winter: No
Bears Confinement: Tolerates Confinement
Especially Docile: No
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Type A

(Fancy Features)
Comb Type: Depends on Variety
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

(Egg Facts)
Egg Laying: Very Good (4/wk)
Egg Color: White
Egg Size: X-Large



http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Minorca-B73.aspx